After falling down half way from second to third base trying to extend a double into a triple in the seventh inning of a 2-1 win against UNF Wednesday night, Bailey Castro got back up with a vengeance on Friday night against South Carolina.
The senior blasted two home runs and knocked in three of Florida’s runs as the No. 3 Gators (34-3, 6-4 Southeastern Conference) defeated the Gamecocks (26-13, 2-8 SEC) 10-2 in six innings at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium to open the three-game series.
“It felt so good,” Castro said. “I came back in the dugout and I was like, ‘does that make up for it?’ I hope it does because that was so embarrassing.”
In bottom of the second, the Gators loaded the bases after Lauren Haeger and Aubree Munro walked and a pitch hit Castro. But with one out, Justine McLean and Kesley Stewart both struck out looking to strand the runners and end the inning.
In the top of the third inning, Florida got in some trouble.
The Gamecocks put two runs on the board when Victoria Williams slapped a two-run single up the middle with two outs. Haeger, who started the game in the circle, allowed three hits and a walk in the inning.
Florida’s offense quickly answered back in the bottom half of the frame.
UF put up its first run when Haeger grounded into a fielder’s choice that scored Nicole DeWitt from third base. Then Castro crushed her first home run to dead center to put the Gators up 3-2.
“That ball got outta here, but it was on a line too,” coach Tim Walton said. “It wasn’t a fly ball. She really got through the ball pretty well, and I was pretty happy with that swing.”
Castro finished the game a perfect 2-for-2 with three RBIs and two runs scored. The Pembroke Pines native now sits at nine home runs, which is tied for second on the team.
A one-run lead wasn’t satisfying enough for Florida as the Gators poured on three more runs in the bottom of the fifth inning.
Taylore Fuller drove in a run with a sacrifice fly ball to center with the bases loaded. Then with two outs, Aubree Munro ripped a two-run double down the left field line.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, Florida drowned the Gamecocks as four more Gators crossed the plate.
Lauren Haeger cranked a three-run moonshot home run to left field that put UF up 9-2, and Castro slammed a home run to left field, her second of the game, to seal the win.
Haeger finished 2-for-3 with four RBIs and two runs scored. The Peoria, Arizona native’s 10 homers now lead the team. She hadn’t homered since March 7 against Fresno State.
“I finally put a good swing on a ball,” Haeger said. “It felt so good, it’s a relief, but I’m just gonna go up there and think line drives like I have been.”
After the third inning, Haeger honed in while in the circle.
She didn’t allow a baserunner in the next three innings and allowed just two runs in her six innings of work. The senior also struck out six and improved to a perfect 16-0 on the season.
Haeger has now earned the win in the first game of each of the team’s last four series.
“That’s three Friday nights in a row that she’s won,” Walton said. “That’s a huge statement for her.”
Games two and three of the series between the Gators and Gamecocks will take place Saturday, starting at 1:00 ET.
Follow Patrick Pinak on Twitter @Pinakk12
Bailey Castro bats during Florida’s 6-0 win against Jacksonville on Feb. 19, 2014, at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.
